Improvement in speed and distance indicators



' ing is a specification:

eusrAvUs. M Jassen, `or"15ominimal),-' OREGON."v

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'Specification forming part of Letters Patent'No. 187,635," A' Y f -Aprii 254876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsrAvUs M. J Essen, of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved. Distance and Current Indicator for Hydrographic Surveys, of which the follow- In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a sectional side elevation of my improved distance and current indicating instrument for hydrographie surveys. Figs. 2 and 4.- are, respectively, vertical transverse and horizontal sections of the same on the lines c c and :v x, Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a detail front view of the distance -indicating hands and dials.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has reference to a neat little instrument that is to be fastened to the outside of the boats'for the purpose of enabling any one to take soundings at equal distance without the aid of a watch and experienced oarsmen. It serves, also, as. a current-indicator and for the purpose of teaching the oarsmen to pull a steady stroke.

YEhe invention consists of a small propeller, that is revolved by the forward motion of the boat, and so arranged with a suitable registering and bell mechanism as to indicate certain fixed distances for sounding. The sliding and spring-acted propellershaft works, also,

l a vertical shaft and index-hand on a top dial,

to indicate stroke and current.

In the drawing, A represents a small propeller, that revolves by the forward motion of the boat and the resistance of the water, in suitable bearings of a supporting-frame attachedto the outside of the boat, so that the propeller points forward, the shaft being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat. The shaft A2 of the propeller A slides in a tubular sleeve, A1,being connected thereto by slots and cross-pins, in such a manner that the shaft may slide backward and forward in the sleeve while simultaneously revolving with the same, so as to work by a worm-wheel of the sleeve a gear-wheel and transmitting-shaft, B, which meshes again, by a worm-wheel at the s per part, with a large gear-wheel, C, in such n anner that a certain number of revolutions @February 211,187? appneanonnioa f y ofthe propeller-screwmove the large wheel C a certaindistance, which is indicated by an index hand or pointer, G1, keyed to its shaft on a graduated dial, G2. A second smaller wheel, pointer, and dial register again the revolutions` of the larger wheel, so as to produce a full record of the distance accomplished, said wheel o being moved by the spur c1 of the wheel c2 striking the notches cut in the periphery of the same. The wheel o2 is secured on the shaft that carries the wheel C.

The large indicating-wheel G operates, by means of spurs or pins c, a bell mechanism,

D, which may be arranged to strike either atevery hundred, two hundred, or more feet distance, according as frequent, or less frequent, soundings are required.

When the boat is pulled forward in the line in which the soundings arey to be taken, the bell will indicate the exact moment at which the leafd has to be heaved without the aid of a watch.

The rfear part of the propeller-shaft A2 works by a rack, d, attached to the same, a pinion, d', of a; second vertical shaft, E, that passes up through thecenter bellsupporting pillar or standard to the top part of the instrument, where horizontal dial, f, is arranged, on which the index-hand E of shaft. E vibrates forward and back. The rear part of the rack ofthe propeller-shaft A2 is further acted upon by a spiral spring, g, that carries the propeller forward again after each stroke, while the forward motion of the boat at each stroke forces the propeller back, and causes the Atop hand to move over the top dial.

V'Ihelgreater or smaller distance to which the top hand is moved in consequence of the more or less powerful stroke of the oar shows the oarsman how to pull a steady stroke, by keeping the head of the dial as near afs possible in one and the same position. This strokeindicating hand may be made large enough to show plainly its movements tothe oarsman, so that he may soon acquire the even stroke required for such surveys, which is a very important point in hydrographie surveys.

Theinstrument may also be employed with all classes of vessels when at anchor as a currentindicator, to observe the velocity of the current.

The instrument times the distances for the lead in regular manner, and is a check to, inexperienced oarsmen, teaching` them soon to become ecient, and furnishing a device of great usefulness in hydrographie surveying.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by' Letters Patentl. A distance and current indicating instrn ment for hydrographie surveys, consisting of an actuating revolving propeller, in connection with a distance registering and indicating dial and bell mechanism, and with a si-Y multaneously-operated stroke and currentmeasuring device, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth'.

2. The propeller A, shaft A2, tubular'sleeve VTremesas i `Abhaving gear-Wheel a, spring g, shaft B, 

